Hindered linking agents derived from 2-iminothiolanes and methods

ABSTRACT

Novel compounds and methods for the formation of disulfide linkages are presented. The novel compounds employed are substituted 2-iminothiolane hydrohalide linking agents of the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein, X is halogen; 
     R 1  is COOR 5  ; halogen; nitro; unsubstituted or halogenated C 1-8  alkyl; unsubstituted or halogenated C 1-8  alkoxy; unsubstituted or halogenated C 2-8  alkenyl; unsubstituted or halogenated C 2-8  alkynyl; unsubstituted C 3-8  cycloalkyl; unsubstituted aryl; aryl substituted with 1 to 3 substituents selected from halogen, amino, unsubstituted or halogenated C 1-8  alkyl, or unsubstituted or halogenated C 1-8  alkoxy; unsubstituted heterocycle; or heterocycle substituted with 1 to 3 substituents selected from amino, halogen, unsubstituted or halogenated C 1-8  alkyl, or unsubstituted or halogenated C 1-8  alkoxy; 
     each of R 2 , R 3  and R 4  is independently hydrogen or selected from the values of R 1  ; or 
     R 1  and R 2  together form a C 2-5  alkylene bridge, unsubstituted or substituted with one to five C 1-4  alkyl groups; or 
     R 1  or R 2  together with R 3  form a C 1-5  alkylene bridge, unsubstituted or substituted with one to five C 1-4  alkyl groups; and 
     R 5  is hydrogen or C 1-8  alkyl. 
     Also included in the invention are methods for covalently linking two species, which methods comprise reacting one or both of the two species with a crosslinking agent of the above formula (I) and mixing the two species together. The resulting conjugated species containing the linking group are also included in the invention. 
     Further included in the invention is the use of a quenching agent which allows direct measurement of the reaction of 2-iminothiolanes with nucleophilic groups.

This is a continuation-in-part of application serial number 07/288,586 filed Dec. 22, 1988, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the formation of conjugates, and in particular to the joining of one species to another at an amino or carbohydrate moiety utilizing a disulfide bond as part of the linkage. More particularly, it relates to substituted 2-iminothiolane hydrohalides and the use of these compounds as crosslinking agents.

The linkage of various compounds to amino or carbohydrate moieties is desirable for several reasons. In the formation of conjugates involving immunoglobulins, for example, linkage at specific regions on the immunoglobulin is often desirable for purposes of maintaining the accessibility of antigen-binding sites or of sites on the Fc chains for complement binding. The species desired for linking to amino or carbohydrate moieties often lack the ability to react directly with these moieties. Hence, some provision must be made for connecting the desired species to the compound containing the reactive moieties.

Immunotoxins are immunoglobulins chemically linked to cytotoxic agents. Generally, immunotoxins are synthesized by covalently linking cell-specific antigen-binding agents to cytotoxic agents. For example, an immunotoxin can be an immunoglobulin antibody linked to a plant or bacterial toxin, such as ricin A chain or abrin A chain. These immunotoxins bind to antigens on the target cell surface, and the cytotoxic agent then enters and kills the cell. Conjugation of the antibody and the toxin is generally by means of crosslinking agents that introduce a disulfide bond between the two proteins. Two disulfide coupling agents commonly used are N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate (SPDP) (Carlsson, et al., Biochem. J. 173:723-737, 1978) and 2-iminothiolane (2IT) (King, et al., Biochemistry 17:1499-1506, 1978). However, the disulfide bond formed by either of these reagents has been reported to be unstable in vivo (Thorpe, et al., Cancer Res. 47:5924-5931, 1987).

Breakdown of this disulfide linkage, with the resulting release of free antibody, is a problem since there is then less immunotoxin available to kill the target cells while at the same time the released antibody can compete with the immunotoxin for the target antigens. Thorpe et al. (supra) have synthesized two coupling agents, sodium S-4-succinimidyloxycarbonyl-α-methyl benzyl thiosulfate (SMBT) and 4-succinimidyloxycarbonyl-α-methyl-α-(2-pyridyldithio)-toluene (SMPT), which appear to have more stable disulfide linkages in vivo. However, SMBT and SMPT, as well as SPDP have low solubility in water, neutralize the positive charge on modified lysine residues, and exhibit less efficient conjugation than 2IT. Moreover, the reaction of SMBT, SMPT or SPDP with amino or carbohydrate groups cannot be monitored during modification, in contrast to the crosslinking agents of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides novel compounds and methods for the formation of disulfide linkages. More particularly, the novel compounds are substituted 2-iminothiolane hydrohalide linking agents of the following formula (I): ##STR2## wherein, X is halogen;

R₁ is COOR₅ ; halogen; nitro; unsubstituted or halogenated C₁₋₈ alkyl; unsubstituted or halogenated C₁₋₈ alkoxy; unsubstituted or halogenated C₂₋₈ alkenyl; unsubstituted or halogenated C₂₋₈ alkynyl; unsubstituted C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl; unsubstituted aryl; aryl substituted with 1 to 3 substituents selected from halogen, amino, unsubstituted or halogenated C₁₋₈ alkyl, or unsubstituted or halogenated C₁₋₈ alkoxy; unsubstituted heterocycle; or heterocycle substituted with 1 to 3 substituents selected from amino, halogen, unsubstituted or halogenated C₁₋₈ alkyl, or unsubstituted or halogenated C₁₋₈ alkoxy;

each of R₂, R₃ and R₄ is independently hydrogen or selected from the values of R₁ ; or

R₁ and R₂ together form a C₂₋₅ alkylene bridge, unsubstituted or substituted with one to five C₁₋₄ alkyl groups; or

R₁ or R₂ together with R₃ form a C₁₋₅ alkylene bridge, unsubstituted or substituted with one to five C₁₋₄ alkyl groups; and

R₅ is hydrogen or C₁₋₈ alkyl.

Also included in the invention are methods for covalently linking two species, which methods comprise reacting one or both of the two species with a crosslinking agent of the above formula (I) and then reacting the two species together. The resulting conjugated species containing the linking group are also included in the invention.

Further included in the invention is the use of a quenching agent which allows direct measurement of the reaction of the substituted 2-iminothiolanes with nucleophilic groups and makes the reaction more efficient.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows the relative rates of glutathione-induced release of thionitrobenzoic acid (TNB) from the monoclonal antibody 791 conjugated with various crosslinking agents and TNB.

FIG. 2 shows the relative stabilities in rats of 4A2/5-methyl-2IT/RTA₃₀ and 4A2/SPDP/RTA₃₀ conjugates as determined by ¹²⁵ I radiolabelling experiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The substituted 2-iminothiolane hydrohalides of the present invention are useful as crosslinking agents for covalently linking two proteins with a disulfide bond of controlled stability.

Some of the compounds of the invention of formula (I), specifically those where R₁ is lower alkyl and R₂ -R₄ are hydrogen or lower alkyl, are known compounds useful as intermediates for herbicides and insecticides. These compounds are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,318,910 and 3,348,940. Other compounds encompassed in this invention are novel. Additionally, the use of the compounds of formula (I) as crosslinking agents is novel.

Where any of the substituents R₁ -R₄ or X is or comprises halogen, such halogen is conveniently selected from bromo, chloro or fluoro.

The terms "halogenated C₁₋₈ alkyl", "halogenated C₁₋₈ alkoxy", "halogenated C₂₋₈ alkenyl", and "halogenated C₂₋₈ alkynyl" refer to C₁₋₈ alkyl, C₁₋₈ alkoxy, C₂₋₈ alkenyl and C₂₋₈ alkynyl, respectively, substituted by 1 to 8, preferably 1 to 6, and more preferably 1 to 3 halogens; such halogens are preferably bromo or fluoro or a combination of the two.

The term "heterocycle" or "heterocyclic compound" refers to ring-containing compounds with 1 to 3 hetero ring atoms, which hetero atoms are selected from oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen. The heterocycle can contain one or multiple rings and the rings can be fused or unfused. Most preferably the heterocycle will contain only one ring and will be furanyl, pyranyl, thiophenyl, or pyridyl.

In the practice of the present invention, X is preferably bromo or chloro, more preferably chloro.

R₁ is preferably C₁₋₄ alkyl, optionally bromo-substituted, or aryl, or together with R₂ forms a C₂₋₅ alkylene bridge, or together with R₃ forms a C₁₋₅ alkylene bridge.

R₂ is preferably hydrogen, or C₁₋₄ alkyl, optionally bromo-substituted, or together with R₁ forms a C₂₋₅ alkylene bridge.

R₃ is preferably hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, or aryl, or together with R₁ or R₂ forms a C₁₋₅ alkylene bridge optionally substituted with one to four C₁₋₂ alkyl groups.

R₄ is preferably hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl.

R₅ is preferably hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl.

Illustrative compounds within the scope of the above formula (I) are presented in Table A.

                                      TABLE A                                      __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR3##                                                                      Cpd.                                                                              R.sub.1     R.sub.2  R.sub.3  R.sub.4                                                                            X                                         __________________________________________________________________________      1 CH.sub.3    H        H        H   Cl                                         2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                            H        H        H   Cl                                         3 C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                          H        H        H   Cl                                         4 CH.sub.3    CH.sub.3 H        H   Cl                                         5 {CH.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.3 CH.sub.2}                                                                H        H   Cl                                         6 H           {CH.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.2 CH.sub.2}                                                             H   Cl                                         7 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                          H        H        H   Br                                         8 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3 H        H   Cl                                         9                                                                                 ##STR4##   H        H        H   Cl                                        10 CH.sub.3    H        CH.sub.3 H   Cl                                        11 H           H        CH.sub.3 CH.sub.3                                                                           Cl                                        12 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                            CH.sub.3 H        H   Cl                                        13 4-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                        H        H        H   Cl                                        14 3-furanyl   H        H        H   Cl                                        15 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                         H        H        H   Cl                                        16 CH.sub.3    CH.sub.3 CH.sub.3 CH.sub.3                                                                           Cl                                        17 C.sub.6 H.sub.11                                                                           H        H        H   Cl                                        18 CH.sub.2 Br H        H        H   Cl                                        19 CF.sub.3    H        H        H   Cl                                        20 CHCH.sub.2  H        H        H   Cl                                        21 2-NH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                 H        H        H   Cl                                        22 H           {C(CH.sub.3).sub.2(CH.sub.2).sub.2CH.sub.2}                                                      H   Cl                                        __________________________________________________________________________

The compounds of the present invention are prepared by conventional techniques well known among those skilled in the art, selected in accordance with the desired substituent groups. More particularly, the compounds may be prepared by the procedures set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,318,910 and 3,348,940, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. In general, a nitrile of formula (II), wherein Z is H or --C(O)R₆ and R₆ is C₁₋₆ alkyl, is reacted with a hydrohalide H-X, such as hydrochloric acid or hydrogen chloride gas, either in an aqueous or an alcoholic medium, to give the cyclized 2-iminothiolane hydrohalide of formula (I). ##STR5##

The compounds of formula (I) may be recovered from the reaction mixture in which they are formed by established procedures.

The starting materials and reagents employed in the processes for synthesizing the compounds of formula (I) are either known or, in cases where they are novel, may be produced by methods known in the art or analogous to such methods.

It will be noted that the substituted 2-iminothiolanes of the present invention have at least one chiral center. The specific compounds disclosed herein each represent a mixture of enantiomers unless otherwise indicated. The separate enantiomers as well as the mixture thereof are encompassed within the present invention.

The compounds of the present invention are useful in placing a disulfide functional group at the site of an amino or carbohydrate group on another compound, and likewise for linking two compounds at specified functional groups, i.e., an amino group on one and a thiol or nucleophilic moiety on the other.

The utility of these linking agents is in providing linkages between species in a site-specific manner with respect to at least one of the species, and often with site specificity on both species. These agents may thus be used for example in linking proteins or other molecules to amino groups or carbohydrates on other proteins. They can also be used to introduce a sulfhydryl moiety for purposes of site specificity for reaction with a nucleophilic moiety of another species.

The substituted 2-iminothiolanes of the invention exhibit UV absorbance, which absorbance is lost when the cyclic ring is opened following attack by nucleophilic compounds. Thus, these linking agents are useful because the rate and extent of hydrolysis with low molecular weight compounds (amino acids or water, for example) can be observed as the reaction takes place, enabling one to monitor and control it. The reaction may be monitored by observing with a spectrophotometer the change in absorbance at the 248nm wavelength (A₂₄₈).

The 2-iminothiolanes of the invention also exhibit unique properties which allow direct measurement of their reaction with a protein, when the absorbance is too high at the 248nm wavelength and cannot be read. Because the sulfur atom of the 2-iminothiolanes is cyclized into the ring structure, it is unavailable for reaction with reagents (such as aromatic disulfides) which react with sulfhydryl groups. Once ring opening occurs and a sulfhydryl becomes exposed, an aromatic disulfide (such as dithionitrobenzoic acid, DTNB) can react with the sulfhydryl. Such reaction can be monitored at discrete wavelengths (e.g., the 412nm wavelength for DTNB, A₄₁₂). This allows direct quantitation and control of the kinetics and extent of modification, as well as the activation of sulfhydryl forms.

The crosslinking agents of the invention are water soluble, in contrast to SPDP, SMPT and SMBT. This makes them easier to use and gives better conjugation yields. Also, the ability to conduct the conjugation under aqueous conditions avoids subjecting the proteins to possible damage by organic solvents

Linkages formed with the crosslinkers of the present invention have certain advantages over linkages formed with unsubstituted 2-iminothiolane. As shown in FIG. 1, linkages formed with the substituted 2-iminothiolanes exhibit increased stability to reduction in vitro. Additionally, the linkages of the invention should be more stable in vivo, since the presence of at least one of the groups R₁ -R₄ should make the molecule sterically hindered towards disulfide exchange by glutathione or other thiols in serum or towards enzymatic attack which might cleave the disulfide bond prematurely.

These linking agents are particularly useful in the synthesis of immunotoxins. Immunotoxins, useful in the treatment of disease, are characterized by two components. One component is the cytotoxic agent which is fatal to a cell when absorbed. The second component, the antigen-reactive agent, provides a means for delivering the toxic agent to a particular cell type, such as T-lymphocytes or B-lymphocytes. The two components are complexed or bonded together by any of a variety of well-known chemical procedures. One of the most common and preferred methods is by using crosslinking agents with disulfide bonds. The linking agents of the present invention provide such a disulfide bond to link covalently an immunoglobulin (Ig) antigen-reactive agent, at an available amino group native to the Ig, to a sulfhydryl-containing cytotoxic agent (tox) to form an immunotoxin. Such a linkage would have the following configuration: ##STR6##

When the cytotoxic agent does not contain thiol groups, such groups may be added to the toxin using substituted 2-iminothiolanes according to the methods of this invention.

In the present invention, an aromatic disulfide compound may be reacted with the immunoglobulin and the substituted 2-iminothiolane hydrohalide prior to reaction with the toxin. Examples of aromatic disulfide compounds useful in the invention are dithionitrobenzoic acid (DTNB), 2,2'- and 4,4'-di-pyridyldisulfide (DPDS), and 2,2'-dithiobis(pyridine-N-oxide). The presence of an aromatic disulfide in the immunoglobulin/2IT reaction mixture (i) allows real-time monitoring of the progress and extent of the reaction, (ii) activates the exposed sulfhydryl, and (iii) blocks reactive sulfhydryls in the immunoglobulin, preventing antibody dimerization prior to and during the subsequent reaction with the toxin.

Additionally, it has been found that both the unsubstituted and the substituted 2-iminothiolanes polymerize during the linking reaction so that a chain of two to five or more iminothiolane-derived groups often results. The presence of a quenching group such as an aromatic sulfide at the sulfhydryl of the iminothiolane linkage prevents such polymerization from occurring, resulting in a single iminothiolane-derived group at each reaction site and a more efficient reaction.

Thus, one embodiment of the present invention is a method for covalently linking two species which comprises a) reacting one or both species with either an unsubstituted or a substituted 2-iminothiolane crosslinking agent together with a quenching agent such as an aromatic disulfide, b) desalting to remove reagent, and c) mixing the two species together.

A variety of cytotoxic agents are suitable for use in immunotoxins. The cytotoxic agents contemplated by this invention can include radionuclides, such as Iodine-131, Yttrium-90, Rhenium-188, and Bismuth-212; a number of chemotherapeutic drugs, such as vindesine, methotrexate, adriamycin, and cis-platin; and cytotoxic proteins such as ribosomal inactivating proteins including abrin and ricin (or their A-chains), pokeweed antiviral protein, diphtheria toxin, pseudomonas exotoxin A, etc., or their recombinant derivatives. (See generally, "Chimeric Toxins", Olsnes and Pihl, Pharmac. Ther., 25:355-381 (1982), and "Monoclonal Antibodies for Cancer Detection and Therapy," eds. Baldwin and Byers, pp. 159-179, 224-266, Academic Press (1985), both of which are incorporated herein by reference.)

Toxin lectins are of particular interest in this invention. The cytotoxic action of toxic lectins, and especially that of ricin and abrin, has been well studied. It is known that toxic lectins consist of two polypeptide chains, A and B, linked by means of disulfide bridge(s). Cytotoxicity is associated with the A chain and its inhibition of protein synthesis in nucleated cells. The B chain is believed to be essentially a delivery vehicle for the A chain. The B chain recognizes polysaccharide units at the surface of cells and creates a high affinity interaction with such units. Once the B chain binds with polysaccharide units at the cell surface, the A chain is incorporated into the cell, blocking ribosomal protein synthesis and ultimately leading to cell death. Thus, in one embodiment of this invention, the ribosomal inactivating protein (RIP) is a toxic lectin A chain. In a further embodiment, the toxic lectin A chain is a ricin toxin A chain (RTA). The RTA may be naturally occurring or it may be a recombinant derivative thereof or it may be chemically modified, such as deglyco RTA. The use of ricin A chain is preferred in this invention.

Toxic lectins of the type of structure and function similar to ricin include abrin, modeccin and mistletoe toxin. One other category of RIPs is toxins with only one subunit having functional characteristics analogous to ricin A chain. This type of RIP lacks cytotoxicity to the intact cell because of the inherent absence of a binding fragment analogous to ricin B chain. Examples of RIPs of this latter type include gelonin and pokeweed antiviral protein.

According to the invention, any toxic lectin which may be split into A and B polypeptide chains, specifically abrin, modeccin and mistletoe toxin may be used in the same way ricin is used in the preferred embodiment. In addition, any RIP, specifically gelonin and pokeweed antiviral protein, may be used in the same way as ricin A chain. Such materials are equivalent to the toxic lectin A chain for purposes of this invention.

It is preferable in this invention to achieve cell-specific cytotoxicity by employing toxic A chains that are substantially free of lectin B chain impurities. Preferred methods for obtaining substantially pure lectin A chains are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,071, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The antigen-reactive component of the immunotoxin preferably is an immunoglobulin which can be obtained from a number of sources and which is reactive with a cell-specific antigen. The term "immunoglobulin(s)" includes polyclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies, reactive fragments, such as Fv, Fab, F(ab₂), synthetic immunoglobulins and recombinant immunoglobulins, including chimeric immunoglobulins or their derivatives. Preferably, the immunoglobulins are monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) of the IgM or IgG isotype of murine, human or other mammalian origin which are reactive with most T-cells or with both T- and a subset of B-cells and, more preferably, mAbs reactive with the CD5 antigen found on both T- and B-cells.

Immunotoxins covalently bonded by the linking agent of the present invention are water soluble, have greater conjugation efficiency in comparison to SPDP or SMPT, and exhibit greatly increased stability of the disulfide bond over immunotoxins crosslinked with SPDP or 2IT.

The immunotoxins of the present invention are useful in the treatment of disease. Such immunotoxins may be applied to cells or tissue in vitro or administered to a patient in vivo in accordance with procedures well-known to those skilled in the art. The immunotoxin should be administered in a therapeutically effective dose, that is, a dose wherein the immunotoxin causes a depletion of target cells such as T-cells or B-cells such that the disease state is altered towards a more normal state. The dose of the immunotoxin preparation will vary widely, depending on the target cells, whether the administration is in vitro or in vivo, whether administration is in conjunction with other immunotoxins or therapeutic agents and other such factors.

Generally, pharmaceutical compositions containing the immunotoxins of this invention will be administered to patients in the form of "unit dosages." The term "unit dosage" refers to physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosages for human subjects and animals, each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active material designed to produce the desired pharmaceutical effect in association with the required pharmaceutical diluent, carrier, excipient or vehicle. Suitable excipients or carriers of these agents include sterile, non-pyrogenic aqueous solutions. These solutions are preferably isotonic solutions buffered in the physiological range, such as phosphate buffered saline (0.1 M Na phosphate; 0.15 M NaCl, pH 6.8 to 7.2). These pharmaceutical compositions may optionally include a preservative. Examples of preservatives include surfactants, particularly polysorbate 80, or the like. In addition, the preparation can be optionally lyophilized for long term storage.

Administration can be achieved by intraperitoneal injection or intravenous infusion. Intravenous administration is preferred. Dosages will vary in accordance with the size and condition of the

patient. A typical unit dosage is about 5-20 mg per kilogram of body weight. A most preferred unit dosage is about 10-15 mg/kg.

The term "species" as used herein includes any compound which may be joined to a second compound at an amino or carbohydrate moiety using a disulfide bond as part of the linkage. Compounds which may be modified with the crosslinking agents of the invention generally include, but are not limited to, for example, peptides, oligopeptides and polypeptides; proteins; nucleic acids; polysaccharides; non-protein chemotherapeutic agents; carboxylic ionophores such as monensin; carbohydrate-containing molecules or resins; histochemical or immunochemical detection enzymes such as horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, beta-galactosidase, urease, etc.; and polypeptides or proteins which recognize specific receptors or cells, such as growth factors and peptide hormones. Such compounds may be linked with each other or with other proteins such as a cytotoxic agent or an immunoglobulin. For example, histochemical or immunochemical agents may be conjugated to substituted 2-iminothiolane-modified monoclonal antibodies. Likewise, growth factors or peptide hormones, for example, may be modified by the linking agent and conjugated to a cytotoxic agent.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are presented to show the practice of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

The following abbreviations are used herein:

RT: room temperature.

THF: tetrahydrofuran.

PBS: phosphate-buffered saline.

DTNB: dithionitrobenzoic acid.

TNB: thionitrobenzoic acid.

IgG: immunoglobulin.

mAb: monoclonal antibody.

BP: base peak.

b.p.: boiling point, in degrees Celsius.

m.p.: melting point, in degrees Celsius.

NMR: nuclear magnetic resonance at 60 MHz; all chemical shifts are given in δ ppm values relative to tetramethylsilane (TMS).

LRMS: low resolution mass spectrum.

IR: infrared spectra; values given in cm⁻¹. s.=strong, br.=broad, v.s.=very strong, v.br.=very broad.

IL2: interleukin 2.

IND1 is a monoclonal antibody of isotype IgG2a, produced by cell line XMMME-001, deposited with the ATCC, accession no. HB 8759. The mAb is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,071.

IND2 is a monoclonal antibody of isotype IgG2a, produced by cell line XMMME-002, deposited with the ATCC, accession no. HB 8760. The mAb is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,071.

791 is a monoclonal antibody of isotype IgG2b, produced by cell line XMMCO-791, deposited with the ATCC, accession no. HB 9173. The mAb is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,862.

4A2 (also known as 4A) is a monoclonal antibody of isotype IgG2a. The hybridoma cell line producing 4A2 is on deposit with the ATCC, accession no. HB 8350. The mAb is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,677,056.

H65 is a monoclonal antibody of isotype IgGI and is produced by hybridoma cell line XMMLY-H65, deposited with the ATCC and given the accession no. HB 9286. The antibody is prepared as described in Kernan et al., J. Immunol. 133:137 (1984).

RTA₃₀ is a species of ricin toxin A chain (RTA) having a molecular weight of approximately 30 kD, such as described in detail by Fulton et al., J. Biol. Chem. 281:5314-5319 (1986) and Vidal et al., Int. J. Cancer 36:705-711 (1985).

A. PREPARATION OF SUBSTITUTED 2-IMINOTHIOLANE HYDROHALIDES: EXAMPLE 1 5-Methyl-2-iminothiolane hydrochloride (Methyl-2IT)

4-Thioacetylpentanenitrile (7.2 g) was dissolved in dry methanol (50 mL), and hydrogen chloride gas was bubbled into the solution for 5 min. at RT. The reaction mixture was stirred for 20 hr. at RT, and then was concentrated in vacuo until white solid began to precipitate out. Ether was added and a small amount of solid product was filtered off. The filtrate was concentrated to give an orange oil, which was slurried with ethyl acetate. Ethanol was then added at 50° C. until a solution was obtained, after which the mixture was cooled to -20° C. and ether was added. Further cooling gave 5-methyl-2-iminothiolane hydrochloride as pale pink needles, 4.16 g (60%), m.p. 122°-123° C. (compound 1, Table A). The molecular structure of the product was confirmed as that of the title compound by NMR and IR as follows.

NMR (DMSO): 4.10 (m,1H, methine), 3.23 (ps.t, 2H), 1.60-2.67 (m, 2H), 1.38 (d, 2H, J=7.0, 5-Me).

IR (KBr): 2810 (v.s., v. br.), 1615 (s., br., C=N), 1530, 1450, 1415, 1240, 1030, 990, 890 (s., br.), 685 (s., C-S), 425.

EXAMPLE 2 5-Phenyl-2-iminothiolane hydrochloride (Phenyl-2IT).

4-Phenyl-4-thioacetylbutanenitrile (2.82 g) was dissolved in dry methanol (30 mL), and hydrogen chloride gas was bubbled into the solution for 5 min. at RT, followed by stirring at RT for 4 hr. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo, then dissolved in a mixture of ethanol/ethyl acetate at 50° C. After cooling several hours at -20° C., ether was added to precipitate a white solid, which was filtered off and dried in vacuo to give 5-phenyl-2-iminothiolane hydrochloride, 1.22g (44%), m.p. 142°-144° C. (compound 2, Table A). The molecular structure of the product was confirmed as that of the title compound by NMR and IR as follows.

NMR (DMSO): 7.50 (br.s, 5H, phenyl), 5.40 (dd, 1H, methine), 3.25-3.75 (m, 2H), 2.20-2.84 (m, 2H).

IR (KBr): 3360, 2870 (v.s., v.br.), 1615 (s., br., C═N), 1515, 1495, 1450, 1405, 1325, 1020, 985, 830, 770, 760, 700 (s.), 675 (s.).

EXAMPLE 3 5-t-Butyl-2-iminothiolane hydrochloride (t-Butyl-2IT).

5,5-Dimethyl-4-mercaptohexanenitrile (1.55 g) was dissolved in dry methanol (15 mL) and HCl gas was bubbled into the solution for 5 min., after which the solution was stirred at RT for 2 hr. Additional HCl gas was bubbled into the solution and stirring continued for another hour. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo. The resulting oil was triturated with warm ethyl acetate, and then warm ethanol was added until a solution was obtained. The mixture was cooled to -20° C. and ether was added. The mixture was cooled overnight, then filtered to give 5-t-butyl-2-iminothiolane hydrochloride as a white solid, 0.42g (22%), m.p. 226°-228° C. (compound 3, Table A). The molecular structure of the product was confirmed as that of the title compound by NMR and IR as follows.

NMR (DMSO): 4.10 (dd, 1H, methine), 3.25 (m, 2H), 1.86-2.70 (m, 2H), 1.03 (s, 9H, t-Bu).

IR (KBr): 2890 (v.s., v.br.), -620 (s., br., C═N), 1400 (s.), 1370, 1255, 1175, 995, 690 (s., C-S).

EXAMPLE 4 5,5-Dimethyl-2-iminothiolane hydrochloride (Dimethyl-2IT).

Following the procedures of Examples 1 and 2, HCl gas was bubbled through a solution of 4-mercapto-4-methylpentanenitrile (3.6 g) in dry methanol. The crude product was worked up to give 5,5-dimethyl-2-iminothiolane hydrochloride as a white solid, 3.0 g (65%), m.p. 156°-159° C. (compound 4, Table A). The molecular structure of the product was confirmed as that of the title compound by NMR and IR as follows.

NMR (DMSO): 3.45 (t, 2H, J=7.0), 2.18 (t, 2H, J=7.0), 1.60 (s, 6H, 2-Me).

IR (KBr): 2900 (v.s., v.br), 1610 (s, br, C═N), 1510, 1325, 1240, 1215, 1120, 990, 875, 845, 690 (s, C-S).

EXAMPLE 5 2-Imino-1-thiaspiro[4.5]decane hydrochloride (Spiro-2IT).

To a solution of n-butyllithium (0.67 mL of 10M solution in hexanes) in THF (10 mL) at -78° C. under argon was added acetonitrile (0.35 mL, 0.67 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 10 min., after which 1-thiaspiro[2.5]octane (0.86 g, 0.67 mmol) in dry THF (2 mL) was added. The cooling bath was removed and the reaction was stirred for 2 hr. After quenching with a mixture of conc. HCl (1.5 mL) and water (3.5 mL), the layers were separated and the aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate (2×25 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo to give an oil. The oil was dissolved in methanol (10 mL) and bubbled vigorously with HCl gas for 5 min. The mixture was then stirred overnight at RT. The solvent was removed in vacuo and the oily residue was triturated with ether until a solid was obtained, to give 2-imino-1-thiaspiro[4.5]decane hydrochloride, 0.17g, m.p. 130°-135° C. (compound 5, Table A). The molecular structure of the product was confirmed as that of the title compound by NMR and IR as follows.

NMR (DMSO): 8.23, 7.38, 6.53 (3 br s, each integrates to ca. 0.5H, all completely exchanged with D20, NH's), 3.36 (t, J=7.0, 2H, 3-CH2), 2.18 (t, J=7.0, 2H, 4-CH2), 1.00-2.00 (br m, 10H, cyclohexyl).

IR (KBr): 3500-2500 (v.s., v.br.), 1610 (s., br.), 1525, 1445 (s.), 1405 (s), 1250, 1205, 1130, 1100, 1020, 990, 875 (s.), 690 (s.), 445.

EXAMPLE 6 2-Imino-1-thiabicyclo[3.4.0]nonane hydrochloride (Ring-2IT).

Under argon, THF (30 mL) was cooled to -78° C., after which n-butyllithium (10M in hexanes, 3.59 mL) was added dropwise, followed by acetonitrile (1.88 mL, 35.9 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred for 10 min. at -78° C., then cyclohexene sulfide (3.90 g, 34.2 mmol) in THF (10 mL) was added dropwise. After addition was complete, the cooling bath was removed and the mixture was allowed to warm to RT. After 2 hrs., the reaction was re-cooled and quenched by addition of a mixture of conc. HCl (6 mL) and water (15 mL). The layers were separated and the aqueous layer was rinsed with ethyl acetate (2×25 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over Na₂ SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo to give a crude brown liquid (5.08 g). The crude product was distilled in vacuo to give a colorless liquid, 2.26 g, b.p. 85°-89° C. (0.3 mm), with the following NMR, IR and LRMS.

NMR (CDC13): 2.68 (d, 2H, CH2CN), 2.32 (s, 1H), 1.0-2.30 (m, 10H, cyclohexyl).

IR (neat on NaCl): 2930 (s.), 2860 (s.), 2530 (w., SH), 2250 (m., CN), 1730, 1450 (s.), 1425, 1195, 965.

LRMS (m/e, %BP): 155 (M+, 29.9).

The above liquid was dissolved in dry methanol (30 mL) and HCl gas was bubbled vigorously into the solution for 5 min., after which the reaction mixture was stirred overnight at RT. Concentration in vacuo gave a white solid, which was slurried in ethyl acetate and treated with hot ethanol until a solution was obtained. Cooling to -20° C. gave a white crystalline solid which was filtered off and dried in vacuo to give 2-imino-1-thiabicyclo[3.4.0]nonane hydrochloride, 3.13 g (59%), m.p. 249° C. (dec.) (compound 6, Table A). The molecular structure of the product was confirmed as that of the title compound by NMR and IR as follows.

NMR (400 mHz, DMSO): 3.57 (dt, J=11.5, 3.4, 1H, H-8), 3.24 (dd, J=17, 5.7, 1H, H-3), 2.91 (dd, J=17, 1H, H-3), 2.22 (dd, 1H, H-9), 1.94-2.03 (m, 2H), 1.75-1.84 (m, 2H), 1.45-1.54 (m, 1H), 1.28-1.39 (m, 3H).

IR (KBr): 2840 (v.s., v.br.), 1624 (s., C═N), 1528, 1450, 998, 895, 880, 694 (s.).

B. PREPARATION OF CONJUGATED IMMUNOTOXINS EXAMPLE 7 INDl/5-methyl-2IT/RTA₃₀ toxin

A mixture of INDI mAb (20.0 mM, 3.0 mg/mL), DTNB (0.5 mM), and 5-methyl-2-iminothiolane hydrochloride (3.4 mM) in PBS (pH 7.0) was incubated at 25° C. until the A₄₁₂ =0.51 (ca. 1.8 SH/mol). The reaction mixture was then desalted on a column of Sephadex G25Fine resin (G25F; Pharmacia) equilibrated with PBS. The TNB:protein ratio was measured, indicating 2.0:1.

The above INDl/5-methyl-2IT/TNB complex (6.4 μM) was mixed with RTA₃₀ (33.0 μM), and the mixture was incubated at 4° C. for 16 hr. The reaction mixture was purified to give the immunotoxin IND1/5-methyl-2IT/RTA₃₀.

EXAMPLE 8 791/5-methyl-2IT/RTA₃₀ toxin

A mixture of 791 mAb (30.0 μM, 4.5 mg/mL), DTNB (2.0 mM), and 5-methyl-2-iminothiolane hydrochloride (3.0 mM) in PBS (pH 7.0) was incubated at 25° C. until the A₃₁₂ =0.60 (ca. 1.2 SH/mol). The reaction mixture was then desalted on G25F and the TNB:protein ratio was measured, indicating 1.1:1.

The above 791/5-methyl-2IT/TNB complex (11.0μM) was mixed with RTA₃₀ (44.0 μM). The mixture was incubated at RT for 15 min., and then at 4° C. for 16 hr. The reaction mixture was purified to give the immunotoxin 791/5-methyl-2IT/RTA₃₀.

EXAMPLE 9 791/5-phenyl-2IT/RTA₃₀ toxin

A mixture of 791 mAb (47.0 μM, 7.0 mg/mL), DTNB (3.0 mM), and 5-phenyl-2-iminothiolane hydrochloride (2.0 mM) in PBS (pH 7.0) was incubated at 25° C. until the A₄₁₂ =1.10 (ca. 1.6 SH/mol). The reaction mixture was then desalted on G25F and the TNB:protein ratio was measured, indicating 1.7:1.

The above 791/5-phenyl-2IT/TNB complex (7.3 μM) was mixed with RTA₃₀ (44.0 μM). The mixture was incubated at RT for 15 min., and then at 4° C. for 16 hr. The reaction mixture was purified to give the immunotoxin 791/5-phenyl-2IT/RTA₃₀.

EXAMPLE 10 H65/5-methyl-2IT/RTA₃₀ toxin

Following the above procedures, H65 mAb is reacted with 5-methyl-2-iminothiolane hydrochloride and DTNB, and the resulting complex is reacted with RTA₃₀ to give the immunotoxin H65/5-methyl-2IT/RTA₃₀.

EXAMPLE 11 IL2/5-methyl-2IT/RTA₃₀ toxin

A mixture of IL2, DTNB and 5-methyl-2-imino-thiolane hydrochloride is incubated on ice for 4 hr. It is then desalted on G25F equilibrated in 25 mM borate and 50 mM NaCl, pH 8.5, and the TNB:protein ratio is measured, giving 1.0:1.

The above IL2/5-methyl-2IT/TNB complex is mixed with RTA₃₀ and the mixture is incubated at 4° C. for 16 hr. to give IL2/5-methyl-2IT/RTA₃₀.

EXAMPLE 12 4A2/5-methyl-2IT/RTA₃₀ toxin - Controlled conjugation

Following the procedures of Examples 7-10, 4A2 mAb is reacted with 5-methyl-2-iminothiolane hydrochloride and DTNB and then desalted to give 4A2/5-methyl-2IT/TNB complex, with a TNB:mAb ratio of 4.7:1.

The above complex (1.1 mg/mL, 7.3 μM) is mixed with RTA₃₀ (1.4 mg/mL, 47.0 μM), and the mixture is incubated at RT while the A₄₁₂ is monitored. When the A₄₁₂ is 0.185 ca. 1.8 RTA/mAb), 2-mercaptoethylamine (50 μM) is added. The A₄₁₂ is again monitored, and when the reading reaches the maximum (0.47, 33 μM=96%), the product is chromatographed on a column of agarose and acrylamide mix resin (AcA44; LKB Pharmacia) equilibrated in PBS, pH 7.5, to give 4A2/5-methyl-2IT/RTA₃₀ with an analysis (on gel) of 1.9 RTA/mAb.

EXAMPLE 13 IND1/5-methyl-2IT/RTA₃₀ toxin - Controlled conjugation

Following the procedures of Example 7, INDl/5-methyl-2IT/TNB complex is prepared, with a TNB:mAb ratio of 5.1:1.

The above complex (6.7 μM) is mixed with RTA₃₀ (1.4 mg/mL, 47.0 μM), and the mixture is incubated at RT while the A₄₁₂ is monitored. When the A₄₁₂ is 0.105 (ca. 1.1 RTA/mAb), cysteine is added (265 μM, 5x RTA). The A₄₁₂ is monitored, and when the reading reaches a plateau 10.48, 98% maximal TNB ) the product is purified to give INDl/5-methyl-2IT/RTA₃₀ with an analysis (on gel) of 1.14 RTA/mAb.

EXAMPLE 14 791/5-t-butyl-2IT/RTA₃₀ toxin

A mixture of 791 mAb (20 μM, 3 mg/ml), DTNB (2.5 mM) and 5-t-butyl-2IT (0.5 mM) in 0.1 M sodium phosphate, 0.1 M sodium chloride, pH 7.5, was incubated at 26° C. until the absorbance at 412nm reached 0.4 (ca. 1.4 SH/mol mAb). The reaction mixture was then desalted by chromatography on a column of Sephadex G25Fine equilibrated in PBS containing 0.5 mM EDTA, pH 7.0. The TNB:mAb ratio, as measured by reaction with DTT, was 1.3:1.

The above 791/5-t-butyl-2IT/TNB complex (1.0 mg/ml, 6.7 μM) and RTA₃₀ (2.0 mg/ml, 67 μM, a five-fold molar excess) were mixed together and incubated at 4° C. for 16 hr. The reaction mixture was purified to give the immunotoxin 791/5-t-butyl-2IT/RTA₃₀, which contained 0.8 RTA/mAb.

EXAMPLE 15 791/5-t-butyl-2IT/RTA₃₀ toxin

Following the procedure of Example 14, 791 mAb was reacted with 5-t-butyl-2IT in the presence of the aromatic disulfide dithiobis(pyridine-N-oxide). The reaction was monitored at 332nm and terminated when the A₃₃₂ =0.125 (ca. 1.5 SH/mol mAb). The resultant 791/5-t-butyl-2IT/thiopyridine-N-oxide had a thiopyridine-N-oxide:mAb ratio of 1.4:1. Reaction with a five-fold molar excess of RTA₃₀ yielded 791/5-t-butyl-2IT/RTA₃₀ containing an RTA/mAb ratio of 1.3:1.

EXAMPLE 16 H65/2IT/RTA₃₀ toxin

A mixture of H65 mAb (3 mg/ml, 20 μM) and 2-iminothiolane hydrochloride (300 μM) in 0.1 M sodium phosphate, 0.1 M sodium chloride, pH 7.5, were incubated at 37° C. for 2 hr. The reaction was quenched by the addition of glycine to 50 mM, and the derivatized mAb was purified by chromatography on a column of Sephadex G25Fine equilibrated in PBS containing 1 mM EDTA, pH 7.2. The free SH/mAb ratio, as measured by the addition of DTNB, was 1.5:1.

The H65/2IT-SH complex prepared above was mixed with RTA₃₀ which had been previously derivatized with DTNB (making RTA₃₀ -TNB) such that the final concentration of each reagent was 2.0 mg/ml (13 μM and 67 μM, respectively). The mixture was incubated for 2 hr. at 25° C. and then an additional 35 hr. at 4° C., followed by purification of the H65/2IT/RTA₃₀ conjugate. The RTA/mAb ratio was 0.6:1.

C. COMPARATIVE DATA EXAMPLE 17 Comparison of efficiencies of conjuqation with substituted 2-IT

Samples of 791/5-methyl-2IT/TNB complex (from Example 8) and 791/5-phenyl-2IT/TNB complex (from Example 9) were mixed with 4.0- and 6.3-fold molar excess, respectively, of RTA. Conjugation was allowed to proceed as in Examples 7-10. After conjugation was complete, aliquots were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and densitometry of stained bonds. Percent substitution was determined by dividing the RTA/mAb ratio of the product by the TNB/mAb ratio of the modified antibody. The results are presented in Table B.

For these samples, substitution efficiency was 47% and 82% for mixtures containing 4- and 6-fold molar excess of RTA. In contrast, for SPDP-modified 791, a 10-fold molar ratio of RTA/mAb yielded 40-50% substitution. Thus, less RTA can be used for conjugate construction with the 2-iminothiolane derivatives.

                  TABLE B                                                          ______________________________________                                                         RTA/mAb ratio                                                  Sample   TNB/mAb ratio                                                                               Mixture  Product                                                                               % Subst.                                 ______________________________________                                         5-methyl-2IT                                                                            1.1          4.0      0.9    82                                       5-phenyl-2IT                                                                            1.7          6.3      0.8    47                                       ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 18 Comparison of conjuqation efficiencies with alternate aromatic disulfides

A comparison of the data from Examples 14 and 15 illustrate that 791 mAb derivatized with dithiobis(pyridine-N-oxide) produced a more effective leaving group than 791 mAb derivatized with DTNB. Although the modification ratios (activated SH/mAb) were very similar (1.3-1.4), under identical conditions 62% of the leaving groups present on 791/TNB were replaced as compared to 93% of those present on 791/thiopyridine-N-oxide. Conjugation efficiencies can therefore be further enhanced by appropriate selection of the aromatic disulfide.

EXAMPLE 19 Properties and stability of substituted 2-iminothiolanes compared with unsubstituted 2-iminothiolane and SPDP

Tables C and D present properties for representative substituted 2-iminothiolanes as well as for the unsubstituted iminothiolane and for SPDP.

Table C gives the reaction rates of the various compounds. The following reaction rates were measured:

a. The rate of hydrolysis of the 2-iminothiolane rings in PBS (pH 7.2), monitored at 248nm.

b. The rate of reaction of the 2-iminothiolanes with 160 mM glycine in PBS (pH 7.2), monitored by coupling the reaction with 0.5 mM DTNB and following the change in absorbance at 412nm.

c. The rate of reaction of the 2-iminothiolanes (0.5 mM) with 791 mAb (20 μM), as monitored by coupling the reaction with 2.5 mM DTNB in 0.1 M NaPO4, 0.1 M NaCl, pH 7.5, and monitoring the change in absorbance at 412nm.

d. The initial rate of TNB release from 791/iminothiolane/TNB induced by glutathione. Samples contained ca. 10 μM of protein-S-S-TNB and 200 μM of glutathione in PBS containing 0.5 mM EDTA, pH 7.25, and were monitored at 412nm. FIG. 1 presents the results graphically.

                                      TABLE C                                      __________________________________________________________________________                    Reaction Rates (25° C.)                                              E          Glycine                                                                             791   TNB                                                 lambda                                                                              1 mM                                                                               Hydrolysis                                                                            k × 10.sup.3                                                                  k × 10.sup.5                                                                   k × 10.sup.5                           Cpd.   max. 248 nm                                                                             (%/hr) (s.sup.-1)                                                                          (s.sup.-1)                                                                           (s.sup.-1)                                   __________________________________________________________________________     2IT    247  8.72                                                                               10.2   5.3  5.0   942.0                                        ring-2IT                                                                              250  9.07                                                                               13.4   3.4  5.6   82.1                                         (Ex. 6)                                                                        methyl-2IT                                                                            247  9.27                                                                               5.4    4.8  4.0   75.3                                         (Ex. 1)                                                                        phenyl-2IT                                                                            246  9.00                                                                               1.5    5.2  8.8   45.8                                         (Ex. 2)                                                                        t-butyl-2IT                                                                           248  11.7                                                                               6.1    4.4  7.4   16.4                                         (Ex. 3)                                                                        dimethyl-2IT                                                                          247  10.8                                                                               6.9    3.5  4.6   0.13                                         (Ex. 4)                                                                        spiro-2IT                                                                             248  10.7                                                                               5.6    3.0  4.6   0.11                                         (Ex. 5)                                                                        SPDP   --   --  --     --   --    262.0                                        __________________________________________________________________________

The relative increase in disulfide stability (or, the relative rate reduction) of the substituted 2-iminothiolanes compared to unsubstituted 2-iminothiolane and to SPDP is presented in Table D. It was measured by dividing the rate constant for unsubstituted 2-iminothiolane (9.42×10⁻³) by that for each of the substituted 2-iminothiolanes. The relative increase in disulfide stability was also compared to 791/SPDP/TNB, and was determined as for 2IT.

791/SPDP/TNB was prepared by derivatizing 791 mAb with SPDP following conventional procedures and conditions, removing any byproducts by gel filtration, releasing the PDP group with 1 mM DTT, and then reacting the liberated sulfhydryl with DTNB. Following gel filtration, the rate of TNB release was measured as in Example 19d above.

                  TABLE D                                                          ______________________________________                                                       Increase in                                                                    Disulfide Stability                                                            Relative to:                                                     Cpd.            2IT      SPDP                                                  ______________________________________                                         2IT             1.0      0.3                                                   ring-2IT        11.5     3.2                                                   (Ex. 6)                                                                        methyl-2IT      12.5     3.5                                                   (Ex. 1)                                                                        phenyl-2IT      20.6     5.8                                                   (Ex. 2)                                                                        t-butyl-2IT     57.4     16.2                                                  (Ex. 3)                                                                        dimethyl-2IT    7246.0   2046.0                                                (Ex. 4)                                                                        spiro-2IT       8564.0   2418.0                                                (Ex. 5)                                                                        SPDP            3.6      1.0                                                   ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 20 Preparation and in vitro stability of immunoconjugates

Immunoconjugates were prepared from the activated 791/iminothiolane/TNB derivatives, as described in Examples 8, 9, 14, and 15, by reaction with RTA₃₀ at RT for 3h followed by an additional 16h at 4° C. (no conjugates were made with spiro-2IT or dimethyl-2IT). Residual free RTA₃₀ was removed by size-exclusion chromatography on AcA44 resin equilibrated in 0.1 M NaPO₄, 0.1 M NaCl, pH 7.5 at 4° C. The relative stability of these and other conjugates was evaluated by quantitating the amount of RTA₃₀ released following incubation with increasing concentrations of glutathione. The concentration of glutathione that produced 50% release of the RTA₃₀ (relative to samples incubated with 10 mM 2-mercaptoethanol) was termed the RC₅₀, providing a means to compare the stability of the different conjugates. Table E shows the results of such a comparison, where the relative stability of each conjugate has been normalized to that of 791/SPDP/RTA₃₀. The methyl-2IT immunoconjugate was roughly 8-times more stable than the corresponding SPDP conjugate, followed by phenyl-2IT (5.2 fold) and ring-2IT (3.7 fold). Similar results were obtained with 4A2 antibody.

Cytotoxicity

Each conjugate was also tested for its ability to inhibit protein synthesis in antigen-bearing target cells in a standard assay. 791T/M cells were incubated with 791 immunoconjugates at concentrations ranging between 2 and 2000 ng/ml for 68h at 37° C. Following a 4h pulse with ³ H-leucine, the amount of cell-associated radioactivity was quantified. The concentration of immunoconjugate that inhibited protein synthesis by 50% (relative to untreated controls) is termed the IC₅₀. Table E presents the results, which indicate that the enhanced stability of the iminothiolane-linked conjugates did not adversely affect cytotoxicity. For reference, the activity of an SMCC-linked conjugate (which produces a non-reducible thioether linkage) is also shown.

Example 21 Preparation and in vivo stability of immunoconjugates

The stabilities of the 4A2/methyl-2IT/RTA₃₀ and 4A2/SPDP/RTA₃₀ immunotoxins were further examined in animals. Samples of each conjugate were prepared with the 4A2 antibody (following the method of Example 12), and then radiolabelled with ¹²⁵ I to ca. 1μCi/μg by the iodogen method, Biophys. Res. Comm. (1978) 80:849-857 (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,862). Aliquots of solution containing the immunoconjugates were injected intravenously into rats. Blood samples were periodically removed from the rats and the amount of radioactivity in the serum was determined. The serum counts represent not only intact conjugate, but also the fraction of conjugate that has lost the RTA₃₀ portion by deconjugation. (Free RTA₃₀ is cleared quickly and does not contribute to the total serum radioactivity.) Therefore, in order to determine the percentage of intact conjugate at each time point, serum aliquots were also analyzed by SDS-PAGE and autoradiography. These data were then used to create corrected conjugate clearance profiles. The results presented in FIG. 2, indicate that the methyl-2IT-linked conjugate was roughly 3-fold more stable in rats than the SPDP conjugate, as measured by the mean residence times (41.3 and 14.3 hours, respectively).

                  TABLE E                                                          ______________________________________                                         Stability and cytotoxicity of 791 immunotoxins                                                  Stability.sup.a                                                                Relative to   IC.sub.50.sup.b                                 Sample           791/SPDP/RTA.sub.30                                                                          (ng/ml)                                         ______________________________________                                         791/SPDP/RTA.sub.30                                                                             1.0           11.4                                            791/2IT/RTA.sub.30                                                                              0.6           9.6                                             791/ring-2IT/RTA.sub.30                                                                         3.7           9.8                                             791/methyl-2IT/RTA.sub.30                                                                       8.3           10.8                                            791/phenyl-2IT/RTA.sub.30                                                                       5.2           16.2                                            791/tert-butyl-2IT/RTA.sub.30                                                                   3.0           7.2                                             791/SMCC/RTA.sub.30 (thioether)                                                                 nd            1412.0                                          ______________________________________                                          .sup.a Ratios of the glutathione concentration that releases 50% of the        conjugated RTA.sub.30 (the RC.sub.50) relative to the RC.sub.50 for            791/SPDP/RTA.sub.30.                                                           .sup.b The concentration of each immunotoxin that inhibits protein             synthesis in antigenbearing 791T/M cells by 50% in the standard 72 h           assay.                                                                    

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for covalently linking two species which comprises:a) reacting one or both species with a crosslinking agent of the formula: ##STR7## wherein, X is halogen; R₁ is COOR₅ ; halogen; nitro; unsubstituted C₁₋₈ alkyl; halogenated C₁₋₈ alkyl; unsubstituted C₁₋₈ alkoxy; halogenated C₁₋₈ alkoxy; unsubstituted C₂₋₈ alkenyl; halogenated C₂₋₈ alkenyl; unsubstituted C₂₋₈ alkynyl; halogenated C₂₋₈ alkynyl; unsubstituted C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl; unsubstituted aryl; aryl substituted with 1 to 3 substituents selected from halogen, amino, unsubstituted or halogenated C₁₋₈ alkyl, or unsubstituted or halogenated C₁₋₈ alkoxy; unsubstituted heterocycle; or heterocycle substituted with 1 to 3 substituents selected from halogen, amino, unsubstituted or halogenated C₁₋₈ alkyl, or unsubstituted or halogenated C₁₋₈ alkoxy; each of R₂, R₃ and R₄ is independently hydrogen or selected from the values of R₁ ; or R₁ and R₂ together form a C₂₋₅ alkylene bridge, unsubstituted or substituted with one to five C₁₋₄ alkyl groups; or R₁ or R₂ together with R₃ form a C₁₋₅ alkylene bridge, unsubstituted or substituted with one to five C₁₋₄ alkyl groups; and R₅ is hydrogen or C₁₋₈ alkyl; b) desalting to remove reagent; and c) mixing the two species together.
 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl or phenyl, R₂ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl, and each of R₃ and R₄ is hydrogen.
 3. A method according to claim 2 wherein R₁ is methyl, t-butyl or phenyl, and R₂ is hydrogen.
 4. A method according to claim 2 wherein R₁ is methyl and R₂ is methyl.
 5. A method for covalently linking two species which comprises:a) reacting one or both species with a crosslinking agent of the formula; ##STR8## wherein X is halogen; R₁ and R₂ together form a C₂₋₅ alkylene bridge and each of R₃ and R₄ is hydrogen; b) desalting to remove reagent; and c) mixing the two species together.
 6. A method for covalently linking two species which comprises:a) reacting one or both species with a crosslinking agent of the formula: ##STR9## wherein X is halogen; R₁ and R₃ together form a C₁₋₅ alkylene bridge and each of R₂ and R₄ is hydrogen; b) desalting to remove reagent; and c) mixing the two species together.
 7. A method according to claim 1 which further comprises reacting the crosslinking agent and one or both of the species together with an aromatic disulfide.
 8. A method according to claim 1 wherein one of the species is a polypeptide.
 9. A method according to claim 1 wherein one of the species is a protein.
 10. A method according to claim 9 wherein one of the proteins is a cytotoxic agent and the other of the proteins is an antigen-reactive agent.
 11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the cytotoxic agent is a ribosomal inactivating protein and the antigen-reactive agent is an immunoglobulin.
 12. A method according to claim 11 wherein the ribosomal inactivating protein is a toxic lectin A chain.
 13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the toxic lectin A chain is ricin toxin A chain.
 14. A method according to claim 11 wherein the immunoglobulin is a monoclonal antibody.
 15. A method according to claim 14 wherein the monoclonal antibody is 4A2, IND1, IND2, H65 or
 791. 16. A method for covalently linking a cytotoxic agent to an antigen-reactive agent, which method comprises:a) reacting one or both of the cytotoxic agent and the antigen-reactive agent with a crosslinking agent of the following formula: ##STR10## wherein, X is halogen; R₁ is COOR₅ ; halogen; nitro; unsubstituted C₁₋₈ alkyl; halogenated C₁₋₈ alkyl; unsubstituted C₁₋₈ alkoxy; halogenated C₁₋₈ alkoxy; unsubstituted C₂₋₈ alkenyl; halogenated C₂₋₈ alkenyl; unsubstituted C₂₋₈ alkynyl; halogenated C₂₋₈ alkynyl; unsubstituted C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl; unsubstituted aryl; aryl substituted with 1 to 3 substituents selected from halogen, amino, unsubstituted or halogenated C₁₋₈ alkyl, or unsubstituted or halogenated C₁₋₈ alkoxy; unsubstituted heterocycle; or heterocycle substituted with 1 to 3 substituents selected from halogen, amino, unsubstituted or halogenated C₁₋₈ alkyl, or unsubstituted or halogenated C₁₋₈ alkoxy; each of R₂, R₃ and R₄ is independently hydrogen or selected from the values of R₁ ; or R₁ and R₂ together form a C₂₋₅ alkylene bridge, unsubstituted or substituted with one to five C₁₋₄ alkyl groups; or R₁ or R₂ together with R₃ form a C₁₋₅ alkylene bridge, unsubstituted or substituted with one to five C₁₋₄ alkyl groups; and R₅ is hydrogen or C₁₋₈ alkyl; b) desalting to remove reagent; and c) mixing the cytotoxic agent and the antigen-reactive agent together.
 17. A method according to claim 16 wherein R₁ is C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl or phenyl, R₂ is C₁₋₄ alkyl or hydrogen, and each of R₃ and R₄ is hydrogen.
 18. A method according to claim 17 wherein R₁ is methyl, t-butyl or phenyl, and R₂ is hydrogen.
 19. A method according to claim 17 wherein R₁ is methyl and R₂ is methyl.
 20. A method for covalently linking a cytotoxic agent to an antigen-reactive agent, which method comprises:a) reacting one or both of the cytotoxic agent and the antigen-reactive agent with a crosslinking agent of the following formula: ##STR11## wherein X is halogen; R₁ and R₂ together form a C₂₋₅ alkylene bridge and each of R₃ and R₄ is hydrogen; b) desalting to remove reagent; and c) mixing the cytotoxic agent and the antigen-reactive agent together.
 21. A method for covalently linking a cytotoxic agent to an antigen-reactive agent, which method comprises:a) reacting one or both of the cytotoxic agent and the antigen-reactive agent with a crosslinking agent of the following formula: ##STR12## wherein X is halogen; R₁ and R₃ together form a C₁₋₅ alkylene bridge and each of R₂ and R₄ is hydrogen; b) desalting to remove reagent; and c) mixing the cytotoxic agent and the antigen-reactive agent together.
 22. A method according to claim 16 which further comprises reacting the crosslinking agent and one or both of the cytotoxic agent and the antigen-reactive agent together with an aromatic disulfide.
 23. A method according to claim 16 wherein the cytotoxic agent is a ribosomal inactivating protein and the antigen-reactive agent is an immunoglobulin.
 24. A method according to claim 23 wherein the ribosomal inactivating protein is a toxic lectin A chain.
 25. A method according to claim 24 wherein the toxic lectin A chain is ricin toxin A chain.
 26. A method according to claim 25 wherein the RTA is RTA₃₀.
 27. A method according to claim 23 wherein the immunoglobulin is a monoclonal antibody.
 28. A method according to claim 27 wherein the monoclonal antibody is 4A2, IND1, IND2, H65 or
 791. 29. A method for covalently linking two species which comprises:a) reacting in the presence of an aromatic disulfide one or both species with a crosslinking agent of the formula: ##STR13## wherein X is halogen; R₁ is COR₅ ; halogen; nitro; unsubstituted C₁₋₈ alkyl; halogenated C₁₋₈ alkyl; unsubstituted C₁₋₈ alkoxy; halogenated C₁₋₈ alkoxy; unsubstituted C₂₋₈ alkenyl; halogenated C₂₋₈ alkenyl; unsubstituted C₂₋₈ alkynyl; halogenated C₂₋₈ alkynyl; unsubstituted C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl; unsubstituted aryl; aryl substituted with 1 to 3 substituents selected from halogen, amino, unsubstituted or halogenated C₁₋₈ alkyl, or unsubstituted or halogenated C₁₋₈ alkoxy; unsubstituted heterocycle; or heterocycle substituted with 1 to 3 substituents selected from halogen, amino, unsubstituted or halogenated C₁₋₈ alkyl, or unsubstituted or halogenated C₁₋₈ alkoxy, or each of R₂, R₃ and R₄ is independently hydrogen or selected from the values of R₁ ; or R₁ and R₂ together form a C₂₋₅ alkylene bridge, unsubstituted or substituted with one to five C₁₋₄ alkyl groups; or R₁ or R₂ together with R₃ form a C₁₋₅ alkylene bridge, unsubstituted or substituted with one to five C₁₋₄ alkyl groups; and R₅ is hydrogen or C₁₋₈ alkyl; b) desalting to remove reagent; and c) mixing the two species together.
 30. A method according to claim 29 wherein the aromatic disulfide is selected from dithionitrobenzoic acid, 2,2'-dipyridyldisulfide, 4,4'-dipyridyldisulfide, and 2,2'-dithiobis(pyridine-N-oxide).
 31. A method according to claim 29 wherein R₁ is C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl or phenyl, R₂ is C₁₋₄ alkyl or hydrogen, and each of R₃ and R₄ is hydrogen.
 32. A method according to claim 31 wherein R₁ is methyl, t-butyl or phenyl, and R₂ is hydrogen.
 33. A method according to claim 31 wherein R₁ is methyl and R₂ is methyl.
 34. A method for covalently linking two species which comprises:a) reacting in the presence of an aromatic disulfide one or both species with a crosslinking agent of the formula: ##STR14## wherein X is halogen; R₁ and R₂ together form a C₂₋₅ alkylene bridge and each of R₃ and R₄ is hydrogen; b) desalting to remove reagent; and c) mixing the two species together.
 35. A method for covalently linking two species which comprises:a) reacting in the presence of an aromatic disulfide one or both species with a crosslinking agent of the formula: ##STR15## wherein X is halogen; R₁ and R₃ together form a C₁₋₅ alkylene bridge and each of R₂ and R₄ is hydrogen; b) desalting to remove reagent; and c) mixing the two species together.
 36. A method according to claim 29 wherein each of the species is a polypeptide.
 37. A method according to claim 29 wherein each of the species is a protein.
 38. A method according to claim 37 wherein one of the proteins is a ribosomal inactivating protein and the other protein is an immunoglobulin.
 39. A method according to claim 38 wherein the ribosomal inactivating protein is a toxic lectin A chain.
 40. A method according to claim 39 wherein the toxic lectin A chain is ricin toxin A chain (RTA).
 41. A method according to claim 38 wherein the immunoglobulin is a monoclonal antibody.
 42. A method according to claim 41 wherein the monoclonal antibody is 4A2, INK1, IND2, H65 or
 791. 43. The method of claim 5 wherein the alkylene bridge is unsubstituted or substituted with one to five C₁₋₄ alkyl groups.
 44. The method of claim 6 wherein the alkylene bridge is unsubstituted or substituted with one to five C₁₋₄ alkyl groups.
 45. The method of claim 20 wherein the alkylene bridge is unsubstituted or substituted with one to five C₁₋₄ alkyl groups.
 46. The method of claim 21 wherein the alkylene bridge is unsubstituted or substituted with one to five C₁₋₄ alkyl groups.
 47. The method of claim 34 wherein the alkylene bridge is unsubstituted or substituted with one to five C₁₋₄ alkyl groups.
 48. The method of claim 35 wherein the alkylene bridge is unsubstituted or substituted with one to five C₁₋₄ alkyl groups. 